Who will treat you

As soon as we have enough information and we believe you need immediate medical
treatment, we will send help.

There are a number of ways in which we respond, depending on the circumstances:

Emergency Ambulance

Frontline emergency ambulances with a crew of two, one of which will be a
paramedic, respond to the majority of emergency calls. Ambulance Technicians and
Paramedics are trained to deal with life threatening illnesses and injuries. We
carry a full range of medical equipment on our ambulances, including
electrocardiogram (ECG) machines to monitor a patient’s heart and defibrillators
which can restart the heart if a patient goes into cardiac arrest.

Paramedic Response Unit (PRU)

Paramedic Response Units are normally crewed by a paramedic working on their own.
They will go to patients by car or motorcycle and carry all of the life saving
equipment needed in a medical emergency. In life threatening situations, they
can provide a vital, fast response and they will be backed up by an emergency
ambulance that can take you to hospital.

Special Operations Team (SORT)

Specialised Paramedics, Technicians and Logistics Staff trained to gain access and
administer care for patients in hazardous or difficult environments and at the scene
of major incidents. SORT also deploy to provide paramedical support for other agencies
involved in potentially hazardous environments.

Community Paramedics

These are paramedics who have undertaken extra clinical training. They are able
to thoroughly investigate a patient’s condition and situation and then make a
qualified decision about the best way to progress their treatment. They often
work with minor injuries units and out of hours doctor services and can refer
patients to the most appropriate care if a visit to hospital is not required.

Air Ambulance

We operate two emergency helicopters and two fixed wing planes. They are often
asked to assist at incidents where there may problems with inaccessible terrain
or where a very fast evacuation to hospital is preferable to a journey by road
ambulance.

Community First Responders

These are members of the community who have been trained to provide first aid and
other medical skills while the ambulance is on its way to you. They are able to
deliver treatments that are time critical, such as using a shock box in cardiac
cases.

BASICS Scotland Responders (British Association of Immediate Care)

BASICS Responders are Doctor's, Nurses and Paramedics who have received additional
Pre-Hospital Emergency Training through BASICS Scotland. Each of the Responders are
provided with a Sandpiper Medical/Trauma Response bag and access to a Defibrillator.
Many Responders have also been issued with an Ambulance Service Airwave Radio and a
Vehicle Locater System to allow contact and best resourcing via their Emergency
Medical Dispatch Centre.

Paramedic Clinical Advisor

If the incident is not life threatening, you may be passed by telephone to one of
our Paramedic Clinical Advisors, or to NHS 24, who will give you assistance or
point you in the right direction for help.

Whatever your reason for calling us, the Emergency Medical Call Taker who answers
your call will ensure that you receive the most appropriate response and liaise
with other services and professionals where necessary.